Predators lead NHL with 10 overtimes in 20 games

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators are trying to stack up every point possible in this lockout-shortened season, so it doesn't matter how long they have to play.

NASHVILLE — The Nashville Predators are trying to stack up every point possible in this lockout-shortened season, so it doesn’t matter how long they have to play.

Right now, nobody in the NHL is working more overtime than the Predators.

The Predators pulled out a 5-4 overtime win over Dallas on Monday night, their 10th decided in overtime or shootout in their first 20 games. It was their third overtime win in 13 days and has them fourth in the Western Conference.

Coach Barry Trotz said Tuesday that they’ve become comfortable enough playing past regulation that it seems strange now when they wrap up a game in 60 minutes.

“Still frightens me to death,” Trotz said.

Just reaching overtime guarantees at least a crucial point toward the division and conference standings, and the Predators have earned a point in 14 of the 15 games they’ve scored at least one goal this season. Nashville now is 5-5 going past regulation, 3-1 in overtime and 2-4 in shootouts.

Trotz said they’ll worry if the extra play takes a toll at season’s end.

“The need for points overrides all,” Trotz said. “We’ll ask that question after 48 if it has an effect. But if we’re playing that extra time to get an extra point or two, we’ve got to do it. The margin of difference between all teams at the end is going to be minute. So got to scratch and get as many as we can right now.”

A critical tiebreaker at season’s end could be wins in regulation. The Predators are 9-6-5 overall with only seven wins coming in regulation. That’s one win fewer than the four teams trailing Nashville in the Western standings going into Tuesday night’s games.

Forward Mike Fisher said they’re trying to win games in 60 minutes.

“But we’re in a position where right now we’ve played pretty well. We’re in the middle of the pack,” Fisher said. “We’re in decent position. We obviously know eight of our next 10 games are on the road, so it’s going to be tough. We have to have a solid stretch here, and it’s going to set us up for the last half of the season so it’s huge to get some wins.”

Monday’s win was Nashville’s 100th all-time in overtime after also beating San Jose 1-0 at 2:08 of overtime on Feb. 12 and getting a goal from captain Shea Weber 44 seconds into OT on Feb. 19 to beat Detroit 4-3.

The Predators didn’t go to such lengths last season. Nashville tied for the third fewest overtimes in the NHL with 16 games going past regulation in an 82-game season. The Predators didn’t even play their 10th overtime until their 43rd game on Jan. 12, 2012, against Colorado.

“It is happening a lot definitely we know that,” Weber said. “Obviously, we’d like to win in regulation. But like I said, we’re trying to get things done, and obviously we’re not playing our best right now. We found a way to come back last night, and that’s big.”

Goalie Pekka Rinne, a Vezina Trophy finalist, is tied for fourth in goals-against average at 1.90 and tied for fifth with eight wins. But he also ranks second in ice time with 1,075 minutes, 10 seconds.

Only Toronto defenseman Dion Phaneuf is averaging more ice time in the NHL than Weber’s 26:09, and his defensive linemate Roman Josi, whose goal 28 seconds into OT beat Dallas on Monday night, ranks 23rd with 22:19. Weber said any real confidence boost that might come with all this extra play might be in the playoffs in any game going to overtime.

Forward Colin Wilson doesn’t think the extra minutes will start wearing the Predators down. At least not yet since overtimes feature four-on-four play instead of the five-on-five of regulation.

“That’s all just an extra shift, maybe two shifts for a guy,” Wilson said. “I don’t think it necessarily wears anybody out anymore. If it was an extra period, it might wear some guys out. Just a few extra shifts.”

The Predators start a three-game road trip Wednesday at Anaheim at least having taken care of one issue for now. They had lost consecutive shutouts in a scoring drought that reached 133:43 before Craig Smith scored in the first period. Trotz said that helped nip any doubts about an offense that has been putting more shots on goals on net in recent games.

“That’s obviously a benefit that can add some momentum hopefully and gives us some confidence on this road trip,” Trotz said.

Notes: Trotz said C Paul Gaustad (upper body) skated Tuesday and went on the road trip. Trotz said Gaustad will likely be a game-time decision against Anaheim. Defenseman Hal Gill will stay in Nashville and continue receiving treatment for a lower body injury. Trotz said they’ll monitor Gill who could join the team on the road if he improves. … The Predators put Brian McGrattan on waivers Tuesday. The right wing had not played a game for Nashville this season and was sent to Milwaukee for a conditioning assignment Feb. 15.

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Follow Teresa M. Walker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

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